That @#*# Lock

[niftypkg]

Well it's not all that bad after 30 years!! Trying to fix the lock on my 1971 27' Int. First , it needs decorroding and polishing, the chrome finish is long gone!! There is aplunger that locks the latch, and controls the cylinder. It is about 11/2 inches x 1/4 dia. with an indent that I assume has a spring loaded ball [ like a bebe] to set the plunger, in the lock or unlock position That ball is inserted on the side with a set screw. The bebe is gone. Airstream says that $500 will fix it. Not likely. I also need a new strike or the old on rebuilt ,welded. Any suggestions???

[Inland RV Center, In]

The Airstream factory price for that lock is $546.06, and no kidding. Repair parts are available, but not cheap. The lock was never chromed, but instead a pot metal brushed finish was used. We can fax an exploded view of that lock, so that you can order the correct parts, if you wish. That lock was used from 1970 through 1977, and it's name is "KT." If we can help you with it or any other problem, let us know.
We would suggest that you call Helen Davis at 937-4928885 and order a service manual. It will answer many of the questions that you now have, or will have. If you like to tinker with your Airstream, you will find that manual to be very helpful.Andy

[PeterH-350LE]

niftypkg,
Check out our earlier discussions on the subject.
My solution cost $29.-
http://www.airforums.com/forum...s=&threadid=73

[83Excella]

If you install a deadbolt to bypass the door one I have read that Andy at Inland mentions a special way to have it done so not to weaken the door frame. You may want to check with him on it to be sure.
The door one involves 'modifying' the door in addition to the $550.00 cost.

John

[winner]

Andy: On our l986 (Chassis)(1987 Airstream Body, we have the original keys for the door lock. When the keys are inserted in the lock, the lock rotates through its full scope of travel, but neither locks or unlocks the lock. Have you had similar cases to ours and have a fix on just what is going on in the lock.
QUOTE]Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In

The Airstream factory price for that lock is $546.06, and no kidding. Repair parts are available, but not cheap. The lock was never chromed, but instead a pot metal brushed finish was used. We can fax an exploded view of that lock, so that you can order the correct parts, if you wish. That lock was used from 1970 through 1977, and it's name is "KT." If we can help you with it or any other problem, let us know.
We would suggest that you call Helen Davis at 937-4928885 and order a service manual. It will answer many of the questions that you now have, or will have. If you like to tinker with your Airstream, you will find that manual to be very helpful.Andy [/QUOTE]

[ALANSD]

Dr Joe- thats what my lock was doing when I bought my Airstream. It would not lock at all. When I got it apart the tumbler assembly was cracked and not making contact to lock the pin.
The lock would work from the inside however...so I knew the pin
was ok.....
After much sharing of info, I was assisted by an email from by a friendly airstreamer and I then bought an L400 lock tumbler at my local go-rv'ing store ( a common supplier) it was made by Keeler, who made your original lock. Fit perfectly, and solved the problem, albeit I now have a different key of course.
The lock assembly came apart fairly easily and required just a little study to see what went where. I also greased it all while apart, and will have to reseal the edges around where it meets the door.
This same tumbler is available online.
oh by the way- it cost only $14.95

[winner]

A lan, Near the front of your post, you mention a "1.400" Tumbler for the lock - Did you mean a $14.00 tumbler, or a item number 1.400? Please advise - thanks for the information - saved me a lots of research!

[niftypkg]

AlanSD ,Thanks for your reply. I took the lock apart and found that the locking pin was missing a small detent pin like a bebe, that positions the pin in the lock unlock position.It is located under a set screw near the bolt. I made a new on using a #8 nail and cutting it about 1/4". The tumbler is a little sloppy., but it does the job. I will buy the new tumbler though.

[Gene Wissink]

I have one of those pot metal looks that has seen a lot of use. I made the bebe out of a brass bolt and then found a spring that would fit. I am going to try some JB weld on the door lock body to firm up the cylinder, I had to modify a e clip for a cylinder keeper, oh what fun we have with our old AS.

[ALANSD]

Gene- not sure but if the cylinder is anything like the 82 model on the motorhome it was still being made by Keeler. It fit the Bargman lock assembly perfectly. I found it hanging on the rack at the local rv parts place.

[Tikihut]

I have the same lock on my 1976 Argosy Minute and it broke. I called Airstream and told me the lock would be $500 bucks. They then faxed me the diagram of the lock with a parts list. They then hooked me up with a dealer in Idaho named AMERICAN WAY RV CENTER they had all the parts I need and shipped them to me. I cost me about $150 with shipping the parts are not cheap. The lock is fixed now and works great. The folks at Airstream went out of their way to help me.
Chris

[Gene Wissink]

ALANSD
I checked with our local rv dealer and the repair clylinder was longer than the one that I have. I put on some aluminun tape to check out the wear and it was worn more on the back side from the side to side movement from use.

[Gene Wissink]

Lock is back on the door, it did not take much filling, now to figure out how to rechrome tha pot metal or just paint it.

[POLECAT]

How do you take the tumbler out of a 1979 Tradewind door lock to repair? Also where can I buy a new tumbler? My lock tumbler is wobley and the pin does not move the locking lever. The whole assembly is 4 by 5 inches rectangular in shape. Thanks for helping me out. Ted

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by tedherburger

How do you take the tumbler out of a 1979 Tradewind door lock to repair? Also where can I buy a new tumbler? My lock tumbler is wobley and the pin does not move the locking lever. The whole assembly is 4 by 5 inches rectangular in shape. Thanks for helping me out. Ted

Sounds like you have a problem with the clip that hold the tumbler in place. have had my lockset out twice. Remove the handle, one screw on the underside. There are 4 screws inside the door and one under the door seal. It will take some patience to ease the lockset out of the slot, it comes hard due to the inside hole the pin for the handle is on. Once you get it out you will see there is not much too it. Mine had a broken “E” clip. (Jesus clip) I looked everywhere for one and had no luck, so I modified a standard one with a grinder, Standard one outside diameter are too large, at least on mine it was. I lubricated the moving parts, not the lockset with lithium grease (white grease). This should have a gasket around the assembly when you put it back, I used a 3M gasket tape, ½ “ wide, less than 1/16” thick.. Good Luck

[uwe]

Originally Posted by tedherburger

How do you take the tumbler out of a 1979 Tradewind door lock to repair? Also where can I buy a new tumbler? My lock tumbler is wobley and the pin does not move the locking lever. The whole assembly is 4 by 5 inches rectangular in shape. Thanks for helping me out. Ted

Ted, I bought a tumbler assembly from Airstream a while back. I bought it through InlandRV. They're on this forum as well.
I cleaned the lock thoroughly, and lubricated everything very diligently. The lock worked like new afterwards. Still does with the new owners of the trailer. If these locks start to get sticky, and the mechanism is hard to move, then it's crucial to take action and clean/lube it. The pot metal handle breaks off easily, and the lock is very very expensive to replace, if you can even find one. The tumbler was expensive, but fit the lock perfectly. It came with 2 keys.

[POLECAT]

looking down from the back of lock, there is a small 1/8 inch protrusion that you push in with a small screwdriver. This releases the tumbler and it falls out.
I have a new tumbler for mine and no it is like a new lock. A whole new lock is 560.00 but the new tumbler was 67.00. I bought 2 extras in case you or someone wants one. I looked for months for one and almost went the 560. route. Glad i did not. Ted
duendeted@cybermesa.com